Cetera Financial Group Welcomes Harbor Financial Advisors Led by Kim Hellerman-Hersman

Cetera Financial Group Welcomes Harbor Financial Advisors

Cetera Financial Group proudly announces the integration of Harbor Financial Advisors, led by experienced financial advisor Kim Hellerman-Hersman, ChFC®. This family-operated firm has a notable focus on personalized financial assistance, serving clients across more than 20 states and currently overseeing around $175 million in assets under administration.

Background of Harbor Financial Advisors

Kim Hellerman-Hersman has an impressive career spanning over 30 years in the financial services industry. Her journey includes significant tenures at Concourse Financial Group Securities, Inc. and Commonwealth Financial Network, where she honed her expertise in investment management, retirement planning, tax exposure management, and asset protection. In 2023, Hellerman-Hersman made a pivotal move to Commonwealth, only for the firm to later be acquired by LPL Financial, leading her to reassess her career path.

The decision to join Cetera comes after extensive evaluation, allowing Hellerman-Hersman and her team to find a partner that shares their client-first philosophy. As she states, “We spent a year evaluating our options and finding the right size broker-dealer that would help ensure our clients, and the service they receive, remained a priority.” Cetera emerged as the perfect match, primarily due to its commitment to client service and familiarity with Fidelity's NFS custodial platform, which made the transition smoother for their clientele.

Meet Bryan T. Fox

Joining Hellerman-Hersman is Bryan T. Fox, another dedicated financial advisor who became part of Harbor Financial Advisors in 2018. Initially seeking to enhance his credentials, Fox credits Hellerman-Hersman with teaching him the business’s ins and outs. Together, they have cultivated a culture rooted in trust and referrals, which underpins their client-advisory relationships.

Fox shares his perspective on the recent changes in the advisory landscape: “With LPL’s acquisition of Commonwealth, many advisors felt the impact deeply, especially those who joined expecting equity and independence.” The team at Harbor Financial sought not to become one of the many advisors feeling lost in a vast corporate structure. Instead, they emphasized the importance of a tailored, boutique service experience where familiar voices handle their clients’ needs effectively.

The Transition to Cetera

The transition to Cetera brought renewed energy as Hellerman-Hersman and Fox met former colleagues during the Advisor Insights conference held in Las Vegas. They found a community within Cetera that matched their service ethos, which ultimately influenced their decision significantly. With an eye towards growth, Hellerman-Hersman looks forward to enhancing the firm’s value proposition, constantly evolving to meet client needs.

Tom Halloran, the Cetera Advisor Channel Leader, warmly welcomes the Harbor Financial team: “Kim and Bryan have built a practice grounded in genuine client care and a commitment to always put clients first. We’re proud that the relationship-driven experience they wanted led them to Cetera.”

Cetera: A Wealth Hub for Financial Advisors

Cetera stands out in the financial advisory landscape as an independent wealth hub, offering tailored support and flexible affiliation models. The organization empowers about 12,000 financial professionals, providing them with tools required for scalable growth and exceptional client service. Cetera's innovative approach combines modern technology with a community-centered culture, allowing each financial advisor to operate and grow on their terms while maintaining a robust support network.

As of the end of June 2026, Cetera firms were managing approximately $688 billion in assets under administration and $330 billion in assets under management, validating their model of success in the competitive financial sector.

For more information, visit Cetera’s official website and explore how they empower independent advisors to thrive in a rapidly changing financial environment.